Zekes
Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer
COMPARED TO other crime-ridden areas like neighbouring South St. Andrew and Southside in Central Kingston, things were relatively quiet in West Kingston in 2004.
But the area, which has a history of political tribalism, still provided plenty of drama.
Donald 'Zekes' Phipps, the unassuming area leader of Matthews Lane, was the lead actor in a script that could have been developed into a low-budget action movie. Most of the tension centred around feuding gangs from Matthews Lane and Tivoli Gardens in the days after Hurricane Ivan in early September.
SUPPORT
Traditionally, Matthews Lane residents support the People's National Party while Tivoli Gardens backs the Jamaica Labour Party.
Matters came to a head on October 13 when it is alleged that gunmen from Tivoli Gardens attempted to invade Matthews Lane. Five persons were shot and injured in that exchange which caused store owners to close their businesses and shoppers to stay clear of downtown Kingston's shopping hub.
Norman Powell, manager of Liberty Fabric Company at Orange Street, says the friction has scared potential buyers from travelling downtown.
"We haven't seen too many people downtown as we normally do so I would say it's a repercussion of the violence, then again it could be economic constraints.
"We haven't had any major incidents for some time now but the violence definitely affected us," said Mr. Powell recently.
Since the October 17 square-off, there has been a significant increase in police personnel patrolling the shopping district. It is a presence that is welcomed by Mr. Powell and other store owners.
COOLED CONSIDERABLY
Differences between factions from Matthews Lane and Tivoli Gardens had cooled considerably during the last two years due to a truce called by community leaders. That peace was shattered when one of Zekes' deputies reportedly defected to Tivoli after a family member was allegedly murdered by one of his colleagues.
Four days after the invasion attempt, Zekes' Matthews Lane store was raided by police. They found 26 rounds of ammunition, marijuana and almost $9 million in cash which included US$43,000. Zekes was arrested and charged with illegal possession of ammunition and marijuana.
After spending one week in jail, the Matthews Lane don was granted bail. He is scheduled to appear in court January 11.
